Archive · 12 Sep 2025
EU Delays Climate Target Approval Amidst Differing Views
The EU countries are arguing about how strict they should be on reducing pollution to fight climate change.
They were supposed to agree on a plan to cut emissions by 90% by 2040, but some countries like France and Italy want to take more time to decide.
Countries supporting the plan, like Denmark, Spain, and Netherlands, want to move quickly.
Because of the disagreement, they postponed the decision, and now the leaders of all the countries will have to discuss it.
This is important because they need to submit their plan to the UN soon to prepare for an upcoming climate summit.
EU countries delayed approving a new climate change target for 2040.
The target aims to cut net EU greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels.
Some countries, including France and Germany, pushed back on the original approval timeline.
EU ministers were scheduled to approve the target on September 18.
The discussion will now involve EU government leaders.
- Who
- EU countries
- What
- Delayed approval of a new climate change target.
- When
- Approval delayed from September 18
- Where
- EU
- Why
- Divergence in opinion about the level of ambition in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and meeting a U.N. deadline.
Pro-Target
Skeptical
Target Ambition
Pro-Target
Backing the 90% emissions-cutting target.
Skeptical
Pushing back on the proposed goal, and demanding it be escalated to heads of government.
Decision-Making
Pro-Target
Favoring a quick decision by ministers.
Skeptical
Wanting the decision to be made by government leaders.
- Proposed Emissions Cut
- 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels
- Countries Backing Target
- Denmark, Spain, Netherlands
- Countries Pushing Back
- France, Poland, Italy
- Next Meeting
- EU government leaders in October
- Previous Target Date
- September 18